We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bella Gotti a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Bella thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My mother never gave me the impression I couldn’t do everything I wanted to do in life. She still tells me “If that’s what you want to do, then figure it out.” I’ve always kept that mindset working in the entertainment industry. I’ve hosted events, performed at events and curated them as well. Her words remind me to never limit myself as just a “performing artist”.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Bella Gotti. I am originally from Texarkana, Tx but I reside in Houston. I’ve been doing music for over 10 years now. I rap, sing, produce, write, and I play a few instruments. While I work in an industry that some would say is an over saturated market, I’ve been blessed with gifts that allow me to stand out in a crowd. My passion and willpower have taken me places that I dreamed of being as a kid. I’m proud to be a nonconformist, being like everyone else or trying to fit in has never been a concern of mine. I am the show and the after party and I govern myself accordingly.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I don’t think people understand what it takes for an artist to see $1. We typically receive $6-$10 per 1,000 streams depending on the platform. It’s an easy task for some of us while it’s a complete struggle for others. It’s important that people don’t become gatekeepers with artist. We need all the shares, streams, merch sales and anything else we use to promote our craft. Most of us work independently and are working overtime shifts to pay for videos and studio sessions. I’m a completely independent artist. What you see and hear comes from my pockets only. While things are better for me now, I do remember my hard days.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I’ve had people try to convince me that I need to dress more feminine or soften up my lyrics. This is an industry where if you don’t have a mind of your own people will create it for you and while I do accept constructive criticism I refuse to entertain phobias. I’ve been an openly gay artist since I’ve been performing and I’m very much comfortable with who I am even if it brings discomfort to others.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @TheReal_BellaGotti
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@TheReal_BellaGotti

Image Credits
@truthhmedia @rdmplive